N2.6bn debt: NBC revokes licences of Ray Power FM, Silverbird TV, 50 more stations

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) on Friday revealed the revocation of the licenses of the AIT/Ray Power FM (DAAR Communication Limited), Silverbird TV Network and 50 others stations over N2.6 billion debt.

The Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Malam Balarabe Ilelah, at a news conference in Abuja on Friday, directed immediate shutdown of the stations within 24 hours.

Ilelah ordered NBC offices to collaborate with the security agencies across the country to enforce the immediate shutdown and compliance with the order.

The NBC D.G. narrated that the commission, in May 2022, published in the national dailies the list of licensees that are indebted to NBC, and granted them two weeks to renew their licenses and pay their debts or consider their licenses revoked, frequencies withdrawn.

Ilelah declared: “Three months after the publication, some licensees are yet to pay their outstanding debts, in contravention of the NBC Act CAP N11, laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, particularly section 10 (a) of the third schedule of the Act.

“In view of this development, the continued operation of the debtor stations is illegal and constitutes a threat to national security.

“Therefore, after due consideration, the NBC hereby announces the revocation of the licenses of the under-listed stations and gives them 24 hours to shut down their operations.”

Ilelah said that the other stations affected by the order include Zuma FM, Suleja, Niger State; Bomay Broadcasting Service Limited, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Gombe, Lagos, Osun, Ogun, Ondo and Rivers States Broadcasting Corporations and Stations.

The D.G. further listed other stations to include Katsina Broadcasting Corporation, Kaduna State Broadcasting Corporation, Jigawa Broadcasting Corporation, Kebbi State Broadcasting Corporation, Zamfara State Broadcasting Corporation and Yobe State Broadcasting Corporation; Imo State Broadcasting Corporation, Anambra State Broadcasting Corporation, Cross River State Broadcasting Corporation, Bayelsa State Broadcasting Corporation, Borno State Broadcasting Corporation and Crowther FM Abuja, etc.

He told all broadcast stations that are yet to renew their licenses for the current duration to do so within the next 30 days to avoid sanctions.

The D.G. also urged all Internet Protocol Television and all other broadcast stations that are streaming online to register with the commission to avoid disconnection

He declared: “broadcasters should note that having a DTT or FM license doesn’t warrant a broadcaster to stream online; they are two different licenses.”